IMO and its role in protecting the marine environment in the Mediterranean Sea

Edward KleverlaanMarine Environment Division

An introduction to shipping and the work of the International Maritime Organization and its area based management tools

WHAT IS IT?• A specialized agency of the United Nations• IMO Convention was adopted in1948 and first met in1959!• 171 Member States plus 3 Associate Members, 140+

observer organizations (IGOs and NGOs)

International MaritimeOrganization (IMO)

• Develops and maintains global regulations forinternational shipping

• Adopts global treaties and guidelines at theintergovernmental level

• Member States are responsible for implementingand enforcing the adopted regulatory framework

• Comprehensive Flag, Port and Coastal Stateenforcement mechanisms

IMO – What does it do?

Flag States• Ensure and enforce that their ships are in compliance with regulations

(UNCLOS Art. 94)

o Survey and certification

o Recognized Organizations (classification societies)

o Mandatory audit scheme – independent

Port States • Verify and enforce that ships calling at their ports are in compliance

(apply equally to all ships regardless of Flag and regardless of whether the Flag State has actually ratified the Convention). Ship detention is a strong incentive.

o Port State Control (UNCLOS Art. 217, 218 & 220)

Implementation – who does what?

Coastal States•Have special rights and obligations in terms of its Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and their EEZ, to safeguard its resources (UNCLOS, various articles, 220)

•Ships have ‘Right of innocent passage’ (UNCLOS Art. 21, 24, 25)

IMO • No enforcement or ‘policing’ mandate

Implementation – who does what?

IMO’s Regulatory Framework

• Some 50 Conventions• Multiple codes, guidelines and recommendations• All aspects covered: Design, Construction, Equipment,

Maintenance, Operation, Crew• Universal coverage:SOLAS 163 Parties 99.2% world tonnageMARPOL 155 99.1%STCW 162 99.2%

UNCLOS 168 NA

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The regulatory framework

Provides the mandatory

environmental protection level with

zero discharge requirements in some

areas.

Guidance and recommendations for

training and competency of

officers and masters on ships.

Safety requirements apply to all ships which are subject to the Convention.

Legal framework governing the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of ocean space.

Interplay Safety – Environment - People - UNCLOS

Operational Discharges, including GHG, NOx, SOx and ODS/VOCs

MARPOL

Oil and Chemical Spills/Accidents OPRC/OPRC-HNS PROT REMPEC

Transfer of invasive species Ballast Water ManagementConvention and BiofoulingGuidelines

Ship strikes with cetaceans, ship noise and its impact on marine life, polar waters

SOLAS, MARPOLguidelines and codes

Area Based Management Tools Special Areas under MARPOL, PSSAs and SOLAS

• Six annexes cover operational ship-generated pollution

• Ensures ships are adequately designed, equipped, certified and inspected.

• Requires Port States to deal with wastes – port reception facilities.

• Applies to all ships, although not to pollution arising from the exploration and exploitation of sea-bed mineral resources.

Prevention of Pollution from Ships - MARPOL

MARPOL

AnnexesI & II

Annex III

AnnexIV

AnnexV

Annex VI

Oil and Noxious Liquid

Substances

Harmful Substances

Carried at Sea in Packaged Form

Sewage from Ships

Garbage from Ships

Air Pollution from Ships

In Force In Force In Force In Force In Force

99% of World Tonnage

98% of World Tonnage

91% of World Tonnage

98% of World Tonnage

96% of World Tonnage

Almost universal uptake by fleet

Global framework for international cooperation

Despite effective prevention measures such as those established through MARPOL, accidents still occur, in which case a good level of preparedness to effectively respond is key

The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC) and OPRC–HNS Protocol

Pollution preparedness and response

REMPEC - IMO and UNEP cooperation in the Mediterranean

Photo : REMPEC

Addresses, inter alia:•Biofouling to minimise the transfer of invasive aquatic species•Provision of reception facilities in ports•Monitoring and surveillance of illicit discharges, enforcement and the prosecution of discharge offenders•Establishing Ship’s Routeing Systems•Assist in identification of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) •Reduction of marine noise caused by ships•Places of refuge in order to minimise the risks of widespread pollution•Strengthens the capacity of individual coastal States to respond efficiently to marine pollution incidents through development of contingency plans

REMPEC Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (2016-2021)

Can have impacts, particularly on coastal areas, mainly due to the use of heavy fuel oil

Air pollutants from ships:

• Sulphur oxides (SOX)• Nitrogen oxides (NOX)• Particulate matter (PM)• Volatile organic compounds (VOC)• Ozone depleting substances (ODS)

Reductions through the application of abatement technologies and operational measures

Air pollution – Fuel oil availability and quality

In 2017 development of draft guidance on best practice for fuel oil purchasers/users and Member States/coastal States

New global sulphur content standard (0.50% m/m) to be implemented by 1 January 2020

In 2017 additional measures considered to promote consistent implementation

Fuel oil availability

Fuel oil quality

Current topics – MEPC

Stricter limits for SOX, PM and NOX

Air pollution – Emission control areas (ECAs)

North American and US Caribbean Sea ECAs SOX, PM and NOX

North Sea and Baltic Sea ECAscurrently SOX; NOX also from 1 January 2021

• Compliant fuel oil, e.g. ultra low sulphur fuel oil or marine gas oil• Equivalents, e.g. exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) • Alternative fuels, e.g. gas (dual fuel or gas only), biodiesel, methanol, etc.• Onshore power supply when at berth

Technical tools• EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index)

Operational tools• EEOI (Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator)• SEEMP (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan)

Shipping is the most efficient means of transport, but there is increased attention in further improving the energy efficiency of ships

Goal: Significant reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases

Energy efficiency of ships

Energy Efficiency

MARINE ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

GHG emissions from ships

Shipping CO2 emissions are projected to increase in the period to 2050, depending on future economic and energy developments

IMO is the competent UN agency to address this matter

Recent developments

Roadmap for developing a comprehensive IMO strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships (initial strategy to be adopted in 2018 and revised in 2023)

Aims to prevent, reduce and ultimately eliminate the risks caused by the transfer of aquatic organisms and pathogens by ships

Will enter into force on8 September 2017

Currently 53 State Parties (53%)

Ballast Water Management

• Special areas and emission control areasMARPOL (I, II, IV, V, VI)

• (2013 Guidelines A 28/Res.1087)

• Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs)

• (2005 Guidelines A.982(24) and as amended byMEPC.267(68))

• Other tools and measures

• SOLAS – routeing, vessel traffic services, reporting

Current topics – MEPCSpecial Areas and Particularly Sensitive Sea AreasSpecial areas - higher level of protection (designated under MARPOL Annexes)

for technical reasons relating to oceanographical and ecological condition and to sea traffic

PSSAs - special protection through action by IMO due to significance for recognized ecological, socio-economic, or scientific attributes vulnerable to damage by international shipping activitiesassociated protective measures give them protection

There are now 14 PSSAs

Guideline ensures that all stakeholder interests are thoroughlyconsidered including Coastal State, Flag State and theenvironmental and shipping communities

• Must show that basic MARPOL requirements do notprovide adequate protection

• Special Area designation can only become effectivewhen adequate port reception facilities in Statesbordering Special Area are provided, in accordance withthe provisions of MARPOL

• Separate guidance and requirements for ECA’s

What is a PSSA ?“A PSSA is an area that needs

special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognized

ecological, socio-economic, or scientific attributes where such attributes may be vulnerable to

damage by international shipping activities. ”

Can be anywhere at sea (TS, EEZ or beyond)

PSSA Designation“At the time of designation of a PSSA,

an associated protective measure, which meets the requirements of the

appropriate legal instrument establishing such measure, must

have been approved or adopted by IMO to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the threat or identified vulnerability”

Measures are to be implemented in accordance with international law

PSSAs – Guidelines• Provide guidance in the formulation

and submission of applications for designation of PSSAs

• Provide for the assessment of such applications by IMO – MEPC

• Ensure that:all interests (coastal and flag States, and the environmental and shipping communities) are thoroughly considered

ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA• Uniqueness• Critical habitat• Diversity• Productivity• Spawning grounds• Integrity• Fragility• Bio-geographic

importance

SOCIAL, CULTURAL & ECONOMICCRITERIA

• Socio Economic• Human dependency• Cultural heritage

SCIENTIFIC & EDUCATIONAL CRITERIA

• Baseline studies

• Research

Past Incidents

VULNERABILITY OF THE AREA TO DAMAGE FROM INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ACTIVITIES

Vessel TrafficCharacteristics

•Vessel types•Cargoes

Natural Factors•Hydrography

•Meteorological•Oceanographic

Associated Protective Measures for PSSAs - Examples

• IMO – pilotage regimes• Mandatory reporting e.g. for tankers

carrying heavy grades of fuel oil • Traffic separation schemes or Areas to be

avoided • No Anchoring Areas • Discharge prohibitions e.g. MARPOL

Special Areas, ECAs• Using other existing IMO measures

Ecological Criteria – examples

• Criticial habitat:– Essential for survivial,

function or recovery of fish stocks or rare and endangered species or for the support of LMEs

• Diversity:– - Exceptional variety of

species….highly varied ecosystems, habitats and communities

Criteria

• At least one of the criteria must exists throughout the entire area, though the same criterion need not be present throughout the entire area.

Mediterranean Status

Special Area status of the Mediterranean Sea under MARPOL • Annex I: Oil (1983)• Annex V: Garbage from

ships (2009)

One (1) PSSA in the Mediterranean:• Strait of Bonifacio

Status of ratification of MARPOL by 21 Mediterranean coastal States

• A mandatory ship reporting system • Vessels are recommended to take advantage

of the pilotage service.• The Associated Protective Measure

encourages seafarers to use the existing recommended two-way route through the Strait.

Designation of the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago as a PSSA

Designated in September 1997, MEPC.74(40)

SabanaSabana--Camagüey Camagüey EcosystemEcosystem

CAMAGÜEY

CIEGO DE ÁVILA

VILLA CLARA

Watershed

Exclusive EconomicZone

Keys

Marine shelf

Cuba

Project Area

Associated Protective Measures

•ATBA

•Domestic Regulations relating to discharges:

• Prohibitions on any discharge into the sea, of oil, oily mixtures, noxious liquid substances, garbage or harmful substances from vessels of any type or size.

• Avoid ballast water discharging and reloading while transiting waters

Malpelo Island

Sea area around Malpelo Island

• Risk of serious damage to important systems, to the environment and to the economy of the area

APM• Area to be avoided• Applies to all fishing vessel, and all other

ships in excess of 500 gross tonnage

22 August 2008 Edward Kleverlaan (IMO) 41

Conclusions - PSSAs1. Issue must relate to international shipping2. Size of area commensurate with demonstrated

need3. Adequate documentation of criteria and

vulnerability4. Legal basis for APMs must be clearly

demonstrated tailored to address risk identified 5. Linkage between the three elements: Area -

Threats - Measures

22 August 2008 Edward Kleverlaan (IMO) 42

Benefits of PSSA designation

•Addresses area’s vulnerability to damage by international shipping in an integrated manner (risk management approach)

•Increases maritime safety, and

•Increases community and mariners’awareness of the sensitivity of, and risks to navigation in the area

ARE THEY EFFECTIVE?

IMO’s Work on Whales and shipstrikes

•2009 Guidance Document for Minimising the Risk of Ship Strikes with cetaceans

•Working with IWC and industry collecting data (whale sightings and strikes)

•Traffic Separation Schemes moved off north east coast (Boston Harbour) and south west coast (California) of the United States; Bay of Fundy, Canada, Off Gibraltar

•Working with Sri Lanka to reduce shipstrikes (PSSA &/or moving TSS)

IMO’s Work on Whales and shipstrikes

IMO’s Work on Whales and shipstrikes

Off Boston Harbour, USA

IMO’s Work on Whales and shipstrikes

Strait of Gibraltar

IMO’s Work on Whales and shipstrikes

Off Dondra Head, Sri Lanka

Important aspects for a submission:•A strong needs statement, accompanied by relevant documentation – data

•An assessment of impact to maritime industries

•Robust risk reduction analysis

•Only IMO members can submit proposals

•Ability to monitor domestic coastal State regulations, legislation, or other mechanisms that might be instrumental in implementation

IMO’s Work on Whales and shipstrikes

Fish

Whales

DolphinsSeals & Sea Lions

10 kHz 100 kHz

200 kHzPorpoises

1 Hz 10 Hz 100 Hz 1 kHz

Shipping

IMO’s Work on Underwater Noise

• Mainly chronic source of sound, not acute• Factors: ship type; size; loading conditions;

method of propulsion; speed; bottom topography• Main source: ‘propeller cavitation; onboard

machinery; turbulence around hulls

for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine Life – (MEPC.1/Circ.833 )

• Application: any commercial ship• Design considerations: propellers, hull design and

onboard machinery • Advice on: technologies for existing ships • Operational and maintenance considerations:

propeller cleaning, underwater hull surface, selection of ship speed, re-routing to avoid sensitive areas

.1 possible noise reduction targets/limits

.2 setting operating guidelines for sensitive marineareas;

.3 using standardized measurement protocols andidentifying the noisiest ships;

.4 establishing baseline ambient noise levels inocean areas; and

.5 collect information on sensitive areas for thepurpose of voyage planning.

• Universally applicable regulations are vital, wherever ships are found. Important in the Mediterranean Sea already

• Responsibilities shared between Flag, Port and Coastal States – all need to play

• IMO welcomes further efforts to address the protection of the Mediterranean Sea from the risks associated with international shipping

Thank you for listening

www.imo.org